Ebonyi State government under the watch of Governor David Umahi has exonerated the Southeast Ebubeagu Security of the state chapter in the recent attack on the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Professor Ifeanyi Odoh.
The state government also has threatened to sue the APGA for allegedly tarnishing its image.
The government disclosed these, Friday, at a joint press briefing by the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barrister Uchenna Orji and the State Security Consultant, Hon. Stanley Okoro-Emegha, at the Atate executive chambers, old Government House, Abakaliki.
The state government said, the allegation by the APGA through its Publicity Secretary, Nwanchor Chibuike Nwanchor, that Ebubeagu perpetrated the attack is a cleverly woven fabrication to score a cheap political point.
It argued that it was responsible and responsive in the security of the lives and property of its citizenry and couldn’t have been masterminding attacks or violence as alleged by opposition elements.
“Gentlemen of the Press, I thank you for allowing us to address the trending allegation from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). That allegation is credited to one Nwanchor Chibuike Nwanchor who is said to be the Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ebonyi State.
“I won’t bore you with the details but to the extent that they mentioned Ebonyi State government and its security agency, Ebubeagu, I have to say that the allegation such as it is, is tantamount to absolute fabrication and irresponsible without foundation and cleverly woven in their political material time to dent the image of a renowned and progressive administration of His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Umahi, especially at this time we are already cruising in our romance with the electorate in showcasing our performance credentials telling the people why we must deepen the prospect of development in Ebonyi State, through the principle of consolidation and continuity. That’s, having on board the administration of Hon Chief Francis Nwifuru to continue with the wonderful strides that this administration has achieved.
“So, we are not surprised about the allegation of APGA that their governorship candidate was attacked. We’re not surprised because that’s their stock in trade. As much as it’s unfounded, we know it’s part and parcel of them because they got nothing to do, no vision and no mission, other than to go to the pages of social media to levy accusations from time to time about unfounded things.
“Let’s challenge them to bring evidence of any Ebubeagu attacking any person, let alone the convoy of the governorship candidate of APGA, let them come up with any empirical evidence showing the identity or even anything closer to the identity of the people that attacked them, the location and all the circumstances. And again, being a criminal matter, we also want to challenge them to please ensure they get the necessary authorities to know if they have persons they are suspecting, they must be bold and courageous to mention them. So, we challenge him to bring up any evidence against Ebubeagu.
“We are aware that APGA and other opposition forces including PDP and LP exist only on special media. We have allowed them to come to the Local Government and to come to the State levels to do their rally but evidence shows that they have got no space in Ebonyi State.
“We have continued to give them an enabling environment to showcase to the people what they have but unfortunately, you can see they have got nothing to show. So, we want to dissociate ourselves as the government from such frivolous allegations
“As a government, we’re responsible and responsive to ensure that lives and property are secured in Ebonyi State, especially now that we are faced with security challenges in the nation. And don’t forget that we have a very pragmatic governor who has been doing everything possible to ensure that Ebonyi is free from kidnapping, free from banditry and free from political violence.”
On his part, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha who also doubles as the APC Chairman in the State said the State government would no longer fold its hand and allow opposition elements to ent the image of Ethe bureau Security outfit using unfounded allegations.
He said the state would have concluded plans to sue APGA and its Publicity Secretary over the allegation against the bureau Security outfit.
Recall that unknown gunmen, Thursday night, attacked the convoy of the Ebonyi governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Professor Bernard Odoh, near Rest House, Okpoto, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, and killed his driver.
Two persons in the convoy were said to have sustained gunshot injuries, five persons missing while his backup Hilux van was set ablaze by the hoodlums.
The Party had accused Ebubeagu Security outfit of being behind the attack, a claim the State government has frowned at, saying the outfit had no hand.
Victor Nwegede
